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The X Factor 2012: James Arthur

Everything you need to know about the emotional man from Middlesbrough

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Written By

Jack Seale and Tom Cole

10:59 AM, 02 October 2012

Age: 24

From: Middlesbrough

Category: Boys

Mentor: Nicole Scherzinger

Bio: As well as impressing the judges with his rendition of Tulisa's Young at the auditions, James moved judges and viewers alike by opening up about his traumatic past, which included spells in care and time spent on the streets following his parents' break-up.

He shone again over the weekend, wowing Nicole Scherzinger and her side-kick Ne-Yo at the judges' houses with a performance of I Can't Make You Love Me.

However, he revealed his vulnerabilities while in St Lucia, saying: “Taking part in The X Factor is a big deal because I am putting who I am as a person out there, which is something I have been quite afraid of doing. I didn’t think that I had the full package, your typical pop star."

What we said: "James strummed his way to the judges' houses stage, with a new look somewhere between a pre-fame Jarvis Cocker and the kid from Kes. He sang like a man shouting to overcome a 100-yard restraining order." (week six, boot camp)

RT predicts: Has major underdog status and puts real heart and soul into his performances, but seems like someone who could deliver a real stinker if the song doesn't suit him. 3rd